The show went on a commercial break, and when it came back to live air, Seacrest was standing at the judges' table where Lionel Richie, Perry and Luke Bryan were seated. He was positioned directly in front of Perry.

She tells him, "We're on," evidently thinking he does not know the show is back, and in a strange non-sequitur, he replies, "Your mom's pretty." (Sunday was Mother's Day).

"My mom?" Perry asks, adding, "Well, I hope the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." She then winks at the camera, which a number of fans online, as well as several media outlets, interpreted as her trying to signal to the host that they are live on the air.

Seacrest continues by saying, "You are too, but you're not a mom," to which Perry replies, "Not yet."

That awkward moment prompts a response from Richie, who appears to mutter, "Don't start," while Bryan interjects by joking, "I leaked it." At that point, Seacrest seems to realize they are on the air, and he assumes a more professional posture as he says, "I think we're back."

"Are we live? Is this real TV? Are we professionals?" Perry asks before they segue back into the show.

Neither Seacrest nor Perry has commented publicly on the exchange, which has been picked up by media outlets including Elle, Glamour and Good Housekeeping.

Those outlets reported it as a seemingly creepy exchange in which Seacrest appears to be harassing Perry live on the air, but it could also be interpreted that Perry is pregnant and has not announced it, and Seacrest is pushing her to do so.

What do you think? Take a look at the exchange in the video above and let us know in the comments section.